For the first time in several years, the Rookie-level Gulf Coast League was deep with prospects. With the signing deadline for the draft pushed up a month to July 13, several top draft picks signed quickly and received enough playing time to qualify for the list, which hadn't been the case in recent years.

The top two picks in the draft, Astros shortstop Carlos Correa and Twins center fielder Byron Buxton, made their pro debuts in the GCL before moving up to the Rookie-level Appalachian League. Neither player stood out in terms of performance, but both players made an impression around the league despite their lukewarm statistics.

The Pirates won the league championship and placed four players on this Top 20, starting with catcher Wyatt Mathisen at No. 5. Taiwan hasn't been a hotbed for prospects and has been more notable for producing pitchers than position players, but two Taiwanese hitters cracked our prospect list: Red Sox shortstop Tzu-Wei Lin and Pirates catcher Jin-De Jhang.